Choqa Zanbil The well-preserved ziggurat, or pyramid, at Choqa Zanbil, is by far the best preserved and most dramatic example of Elamite architecture extant. It was built at Dur Untashi, a city near Susa, by Untash-gal, King of Elam, circa 1250 BC. The ziggurat, which served as both a temple and a tomb, comprised five towers of varying heights, each uniquely constructed one inside the other, unlike the great ziggurats of Mesopotamia.  It is said to be the largest ziggurat discovered in the region of Iran and Mesopotamia with a base 105 metres square. It is part of a complex that includes an outer wall 1200 x 800 metres which is constructed around a sacred enclosure approximately 400 metres square. The enclosure held three temples, paved courtyards and store houses. Remains of three Elamite palaces have been found nearby, one of which has subterranean tombs. Picture Gallery The Ziggurat of Choqa Zanbil North West Gate of Ziggurat Royal Temple Eastern Cemetery